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permanent
Continuing, uninterrupted, or remaining for a long time; lasting.
example
Wegen des Wasserschadens ist die Straße permanent gesperrt.
Because of the water damage, the road is permanently closed.
permanent
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Meanings
Usage tips
Sentence structure and usage
'Permanent' can stand as an adjective before a noun, describe a verb as an adverb, or be used with 'sein' (to be). This flexibility makes it very useful in formal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Wir suchen eine permanente Lösung für das Problem.
We are looking for a permanent solution to the problem.
False friend
Be careful with hairstyles: a perm, often called a 'perm' or 'permanent wave' in English, is called 'die Dauerwelle' in German, not 'die Permanente'.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat sich beim Friseur eine Dauerwelle machen lassen.
She got a perm at the hairdresser's.
Typical collocations
The word is often combined with states or situations. Typical collocations are 'permanenter Stress' (permanent stress), 'permanente Überwachung' (permanent surveillance), 'eine permanente Ausstellung' (a permanent exhibition), or 'permanent verfügbar sein' (to be permanently available).
EXAMPLE
Durch seine Arbeit steht er unter permanentem Stress.
Because of his work, he is under permanent stress.
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'Permanent' belongs more to written language or to a more formal style. It often sounds more objective and technical.
EXAMPLE
Die Datenbank wird permanent aktualisiert.
The database is updated permanently.
Compare with
permanent vs ständig
constant
'ständig' and 'permanent' can both express that something lasts a long time or happens very often. 'ständig' is very common in everyday language and fits repeated things well, for example 'ständige Fragen' (constant questions) or 'ständige Probleme' (constant problems). 'permanent' sounds a bit more formal and emphasizes more strongly that something remains lasting or uninterrupted. Learners may confuse the words because both come close to 'immer' (always). For normal everyday situations, 'ständig' is often more natural. 'permanent' is more suitable when a state remains for a longer time or feels very fixed.
permanent
Nach dem Unfall hat sie permanente Schmerzen im Rücken.
After the accident, she has permanent pain in her back.
ständig
Vor dem Wochenende kommen ständig neue E-Mails von Kunden.
Before the weekend, new emails from customers keep coming in.
In real life
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